Keir Starmer has warned that a “trade war is in no one’s interest” in a press conference from Downing Street amid Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs over his Greenland tantrum.
The erratic US President warned he will slap 10% tariffs on countries including the UK for opposing his desired takeover of the territory. He also threatened to hike the levies on NATO allies to 25% on June 1 if a deal to buy Greenland is not reached in time.
Speaking from No10, the Prime Minister said the “right way to approach” the issue of Greenland must be “though calm discussion between allies”. He warned: “And so any decision about the future status of Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone. That right is fundamental and we support it.“
On Sunday evening No10 said the PM had told President Trump he was “wrong” over the threat of tariffs against NATO countries. Allies including the UK also warned over the weekend the White House actions risks a “dangerous downward spiral” in relations.
Follow all the latest updates below
Keir Starmer appears to dismiss idea of cancelling King’s state visit to US
Keir Starmer dismisses the idea of cancelling the King’s state visit to the US when asked by a reporter.
“We do have to remember at all times it is in our national interest to continue to work with the Americans,” he says. “It doesn’t mean we pretend we don’t have differences – we do have differences.”
Keir Starmer told US is ‘bullying’ UK in press conference Q&A
Keir Starmer is asked whether he’s ruling out hitting back with tariffs on the US.
The PM says a tariff war is in no-one’s interests – “My focus is on making sure we don’t get to that stage,” he says.
One reporter tells the PM our closest ally is “threatening us” and “bullying” the UK.
The PM admits: “This has been very badly received across the United Kingdom – it is a very serious situation”.
Mr Starmer says he will “no doubt” speak to President Trump in the coming days.
Trade war is in no-ones interest and Trump tariff threats ‘wrong’, Keir Starmer says
Keir Starmer says there is a “principle that cannot be set aside”.
“Any decision about the future status of Greenland belongs to the people of Greeland and the kingdom of Denmark alone – that right is fundamental and we support it. Denmark is a close ally of the UK and US and proud NATO member.”
“Alliances endure because they are built on respect and partnership – not pressure.”
He repeats his claim President Trump tariff’s threats are “wrong” and says a trade war it is in no-ones interest.
Keir Starmer kicks of press conference – UK-US relationship ‘matters’
Keir Starmer has kicked off his press conference after Donald Trump threatened the UK and NATO allies with tariffs over their opposition to Greenland.
“The world has become markedly more turblent in recent weeks,” Mr Starmer says.
The PM says the UK and the US are close allies and close partners -“that relationship matters profoundy”, he says. “We’re determined to keep that relationship strong”.
He says the approach is delivering with significant US investment into the UK economy. “Mature alliances are not about pretending differences don’t exist,” he says.
Mr Starmer is being flanked by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who are in the audience for the PM’s press conference.
EU ambassadors expected to meet this week
EU ambassadors held emergency talks on Sunday, after which Council president Antonio Costa said they agreed that tariffs were “incompatible” with the trade deal agreed last summer that set a baseline tariff of 15% on most EU exports to the US.
The countries also expressed “readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion”, Mr Costa said.
He is expected to convene a summit of the bloc’s leaders later this week.
Calls to scrap King’s planned state visit to US
Some MPs – including the Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey – have called on the government to scrap to King’s upcoming state visit to the US if Trump presses ahead with his tariff threats.
Sir Ed posted on X: “The PM must tell Trump in no uncertain terms: if he goes ahead with these outrageous tariffs and keeps bullying Greenland, there’ll be no state visit to the US in April. The UK must not be a doormat for an extortionist, or reward Trump’s behaviour with the pageantry he craves.”
Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, dismissed this suggestion over the weekend.
Keir Starmer tells Donald Trump he’s ‘wrong’ in phone call
Last night Keir Starmer held a call with Mr Trump for the first time since the US President threatened the UK and NATO allies with tariffs. No10 said the PM made clear hitting allies with the tariffs was “wrong”.
Mr Starmer also spoke with Mette Frederiksen, the PM of Denmark, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General, Mark Rutte.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister had a number of calls with leaders this afternoon. He spoke to Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen; President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. He then spoke to President Trump.
“In all his calls, the Prime Minister reiterated his position on Greenland. He said that security in the High North is a priority for all NATO allies in order to protect Euro-Atlantic interests. He also said that applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is wrong.”
Keir Starmer rips up plans to hold emergency press conference
Over the weekend Keir Starmer criticised the move as “completely wrong” in rare public criticism of the US President.
The Prime Minister had been planning a cost of living focused speech in the North West on Monday – but the intervention has been delayed. He is instead expected to address the international developments over the weekend in a press conference from Downing Street this morning. Mr Starmer will set out the UK’s approach to working with allies while making clear his aim to protect the security and living standards of the British public.